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How to Cook White Rice

White rice is a base to many dishes and in a few simple steps, you can make this perfect rice for your meals!

White rice in a blue bowl with a fork on the side.

When you’re planning a meal and rice is on the menu, there’s not a lot of work that you have to put in to cook it. After all, it’s the perfect base or side dish to any meal. This recipe is for long-grain rice or white rice, and how you can make the perfect white rice.

If making rice makes you nervous, you’re not alone. There’s a whirlwind of questions surrounding cooking rice, especially if it’s your first time.

What is the ratio of white rice to water? What if it turns out mushy? Am I adding too much water?

This recipe answers all these questions easily! You can achieve the perfectly fluffy white rice that you’re looking for in your recipes. Improve your stir fries, side dishes, or even burrito base.

Rice cooks easily on a stovetop and can be a side to any of your favorite recipes. The fluffy texture of rice makes for a great base that soaks up sauces amazingly.

Rice in a blue bowl with a fork on the side.

What can I serve with rice?

You can do so much with rice! Rice is a good base for a Chicken and Bell Peppers Rice Bowl with Spices. You can mix it up and make a fruity dish with Pineapple Fried Rice Under 30 Minutes.

A rice main dish would be this Best One Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe (Chicken Pilaf or Plov). This is a traditional Eastern European dish that is absolutely delicious.

Also, rice can go in soup! That’s right, this Simple Homemade Beef Soup with Rice and Potatoes is amazing and uses rice, cooking it the easy way!

You can find so many different ways to enjoy rice. You can’t hold yourself back! This plain white rice is just the beginning. You’re putting your foot in the door of cooking greatness starting with fluffy rice!

Key Ingredients

ingredients for rice in gold measuring spoons- rice, water, oil, and salt.

Rice of course! You only need one cup of rice for this recipe. You can use regular white rice to start with so you don’t have to worry about any other rice varieties.

Water to cook the rice in. For each cup of white rice, you can use 1.5 cups of water.

Olive oil or butter so that the rice grains don’t stick to the pan or to each other.

Salt for flavor.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

How to make White Rice

Step 1: Rinse

Rinse the rice in a strainer beneath running water.

a sieve with white rice in it.

Step 2: Heat the oil

Heat olive oil in a saucepan.

a saucepan with olive oil in it.

Step 3: Add rice

Add rice and stir to coat it evenly with the oil.

Step 4: Add water

Add water and salt. Bring the water to a boil.

Rice and water in a pot.

Step 5: Cover and cook

Cover with a tight-fitting lid. Reduce heat to maintain a low simmer and cook for 15 minutes.

a pot with a lid filled with cooking rice.

Step 6: Steam and fluff

With the lid on, remove from heat and let steam for 10 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and enjoy.

a pot filled with rice and with a fork.

Expert Tips

  • Use an instant pot or rice cooker for this recipe if you have them available. They make the process easier.
  • Feel free to use this recipe to make basmati rice or jasmine rice at home! It works great for those types of rice as well.
  • To learn how to cook brown rice, try this recipe. The rice to water ratio is better suited for brown rice.

Recipe FAQs

What is the ratio of white rice to water?

1 cup of rice to 1 1/2 cups of water. Plus 1 tablespoon of oil and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. If you’re changing the amount of rice, change the amount of water accordingly.

Why is there a crust at the bottom of the pot?

A crust can form when the heat is too high; lower the heat and add a bit more water next time.

Can I use broth instead of water for more flavor?

Yes, using broth adds flavor; adjust the salt content accordingly.

White rice in a blue bowl with a fork on the side.

Enjoy white rice in these two amazing recipes:

If you tried this White Rice or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you enjoyed it in the📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!

three bowls one filled with cooked white rice one filled with cooked brown rice and one filled with uncooked white rice plus a towel on the side.

White Rice

White rice is a base to many dishes and in a few simple steps, you can make this perfect rice for your meals!
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Allergy: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Nut Free, Sugar Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings2
Calories: 400kcal
Author: Marina Rizhkov

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 cup rice
  • cup water
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil or butter
  • ¼ tsp salt

Instructions

  • Rinse the rice in a strainer beneath running water.
    1 cup rice
    a sieve with white rice in it.
  • Heat olive oil in a saucepan.
    1 Tbsp olive oil
    a saucepan with olive oil in it.
  • Add rice and stir to coat it evenly with the oil.
    a saucepan filled with rice and a wooden spoon.
  • Add water and salt. Bring the water to a boil.
    1½ cup water, ¼ tsp salt
  • Cover with a tight-fitting lid. Reduce heat to maintain a low simmer and cook for 15 minutes.
    a pot with a lid filled with cooking rice.
  • With the lid on, remove from heat and let steam for 10 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and enjoy.
    a pot filled with rice and with a fork.

Nutrition

Calories: 400kcal | Carbohydrates: 74g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 304mg | Potassium: 107mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.1g | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg
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